Once upon a time, during the pre-New Year holidays, the air in the center of Bakhmut smelled of frosty freshness and anticipation of miracles. Today, it smells of memories. But even through the smoke of the occupied city, a light shines through that cannot be occupied.
In December, the square near the Yevhen Martynov Bakhmut City Center for Culture and Leisure became the heart of the community. It was here, to the sounds of laughter and festive songs, that the city's main Christmas tree lit up.
This year, despite the physical absence of its native square, the Bakhmut community proved that a city is not walls, it is people. As part of the national project "Side by Side: United Communities," the Bakhmut community outpost proposed to its partner communities — Gostomel, Kremenchuk, and Hoshcha — to combine their New Year's traditions.
"We want to remember how our holidays were celebrated and symbolically unite our Christmas trees. May the lights of Gostomel, the resilience of Kremenchuk, and the warmth of Hoshcha light the way home for our Bakhmut Christmas tree," said the Department of Youth Policy and Children's Affairs of the Bakhmut City Council.
The idea behind the challenge is simple yet valuable: to show that traditions have no borders. When the people of Bakhmut share photos of their Christmas tree with the residents of Hoshcha or Gostomel, the magic of solidarity happens.
Gostomel, which was the first to take the brunt of the attack, understands Bakhmut's pain without words. Kremenchuk, which has become a reliable rear base, is ready to share its warmth. Goscha, which has welcomed displaced persons, is becoming a platform for preserving Bakhmut's identity.
The Bakhmut Christmas tree shines not in the square, but in every post on social media, in every communal prayer.
As we light the lights in Gostomel, Goscha, and Kremenchuk, we make a promise: one day, the main Christmas tree of Bakhmut will shine again at home. And this light will be visible all the way to the sky.
Based on materials from the Bakhmut City Council